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he's my favourite singer, but there are a few songs that really affect me:
what's going on mercy mercy me (the ecology) inner city blues (make me wanna holler) got to give it up ain't no mountain high enough
and basically the whole album 'what's going on'
Marvin's brother had returned from Vietnam in after serving 3 years and Marvin was feeling disillusioned at Motown. It was a singles factory but rarely had great albums.
It is said Gaye conceived "What's Going On" to be from the point of view of his brother
Gaye wanted to release "What's Going On" as a single but Motown head Berry Gordy had refused-deeming it noncommercial. So Marvin refused to record until "What's Going On" was released.It was released in Jauray 1971 and went Top 5 Pop. The rest of the album was recorded over about ten days.
If you want to know about the greatness of The Motown backing band, "The Funk Bothers", listen to the album "What's Going On" or see "Standing in The Shadows of Motown" 
"What's Going On" where art meets commerce to produce a masterpiece.
and for what it's worth, I will always love this-the best version I have ever heard of The American National Anthem. Done at the 1984 NBA All Star Game.
i'm reading trouble man: the life and death of marvin gaye.
acording to the book, what's going on was, for berry gordy, 'the worst song he'd ever heard.'
so much for gordy's impeccable musical taste!
speaking of impeccable, Found this fabulous version of "What Becomes of The Broken Hearted"
The Funk Brothers with Joan Osborne from "Standing in The Shadows of Motown."
the funk brothers are probably the most famous musicians no one's ever heard of!
i haven't seen their documentary yet, but it's on my list.
great youtube video, by the way! 
that video of Marvin singing at the NBA all star game must have been recorded right before he was murdered. :(
Marvin is one of those artists that you always say you need to give serious listen too, but always forget to get an album when the time comes.
What's a good album to start off with?
Cant remember ANY of his songs,but i dare say he had a hard time at school with a name like that!
The Funk Brothers are easily one of the greatest collections of musical talent ever assembled.
They were Motown contract players, but found their way on to plenty of non-Motown tracks-usually under assumed names.
Two famous tracks some Funk Brother appeared on are "Higher and Higher" by Jackie Wilson and "Boom Boom" by John Lee Hooker.
his original name was 'gay', but he changed for, um, obvious reasons!
Jeffari-al-Texani wrote: erm...
SEXUAL HEALING...
Like this version from the 1983 Grammys. Slowed down just a bit-and smoldering!!
My top 3, in no exact order--
1] What's Going On 2] I Want You 3] Mercy Mercy Me [The Ecology]
I love the man.